Working closely with Sullivan & Cromwell partners Michael Steinberg, Robert Giuffra, and Laura Oswell, Jeff Levinger successfully defended Enbridge U.S. in a closely-watched Dallas County jury trial involving three of the world’s largest pipeline companies and claims for damages in excess of one billion dollars.  In September 2011, Energy Transfer Partners sued Enterprise Products for breach of an alleged partnership to build a crude oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf Coast. ETP also sued Enbridge, claiming that it had conspired with Enterprise to form a new pipeline venture that did not include ETP.  After a five-week trial beginning on January 27, 2014, the jury unanimously found that Enbridge did not conspire with Enterprise and did not act with malice toward ETP.  As to Enterprise, however, the jury found that it had created a partnership with ETP, had failed to comply with its duty of loyalty, and had caused damages to ETP of $319,375,000.  The case has attracted the close attention of energy industry experts and legal commentators over the extent to which Texas law recognizes “partnerships by conduct,” notwithstanding preliminary written agreements that disclaim partnerships and the existence of binding obligations.

Subject Matter:  Business Litigation, Oil and Gas/Real Estate

November 1, 2014 in News
In its 2014 Super Lawyers Business Edition, Thomson Reuters again named Levinger PC as its top solo litigation firm in Texas.  The 2014 Business Edition also featured Levinger PC in its “firm spotlight,” which stated:

With over 30 years of experience as a tried-and-true appellate lawyer, Jeff Levinger, founder of Levinger PC, is “the kind of guy that, if all attorneys were like he is, it would be a much better world,” says Ken Abraham, founder and owner of Paddle Tramps Manufacturing Co. in Lubbock, Texas.  Levinger was brought in as appellate counsel to represent Abraham against Alpha Chi Omega concerning the organization’s claim that Abraham’s company, which manufactures wooden paddles for fraternities and sororities, was guilty of trademark infringement by using the Greek organization’s signs and symbols.  Levinger was able to clear Abraham of the claims and Abraham continues business as usual.

To see the other top litigation firms selected by Super Lawyers, Click Here.

November 15, 2013 in News

For the fifth year, appellate attorney Jeff Levinger has been named among Texas’s top 100 attorneys by Thomson Reuters, the publishers of Texas Super Lawyers.  In addition, the publication named Levinger PC as the top solo litigation firm in Texas — the second consecutive year it has received this recognition.  Texas Super Lawyers is published annually based on peer surveys, analysis of attorney work, and panel reviews.  Less than five percent of all Texas lawyers are named to the list each year.

October 8, 2013 in News

On October 8, 2013, Jeff Levinger completed an unusual trifecta of arguing three different cases before the Texas Supreme Court in a span of less than eight months.  The October case is styled LAN/STV v. Martin K. Eby Construction Co., No. 11-0810, and presents the issue whether the economic loss rule affects a general contractor’s right to bring a negligent misrepresentation claim against an architect and engineer for providing inaccurate information on which the contractor relied in preparing its bid.  Levinger argued the second case on September 9, 2013; it is styled Kia Motors Corp. v. Ruiz, No. 11-0709, and presents several evidentiary issues in a products liability case involving a frontal airbag that failed to deploy in a head-on collision.  The first case, Ritchie v. Rupe, No. 11-0447, was argued on February 26, 2013 and presents questions regarding the scope of and remedies for the claim of minority shareholder oppression in Texas.  Click here to read the transcript from the oral argument in the Rupe case.

Subject Matter:  Business Litigation, Products Liability and Personal Injury, Procedural and Evidentiary Issues.